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State Department cites congressional ban on UNRWA funding; says other aid pathways remain
Summary
A State Department spokesperson said a statutory ban by Congress currently prevents U.S. funding for UNRWA, urged that ban be lifted, and said the U.S. will continue to deliver humanitarian assistance through other organizations and international donors.
Reporters asked whether blocking UNRWA would hamper aid operations. The State Department spokesperson said the United States has “called for the restoration of funding” for UNRWA but that a statutory ban by Congress currently prevents U.S. funds from flowing to the agency.
"We are now under statutory ban by Congress for funding UNRWA. So we don't have the ability to turn funding to UNRWA back on," the spokesperson said, while adding that other countries could continue to fund UNRWA and that the United States can also provide assistance to Palestinians through other agencies and partner organizations.
Why it matters: UNRWA (the U.N. agency for Palestinian refugees) has been a major conduit for services in Gaza and the West Bank. Changes to its funding status could affect the delivery of health, education and aid services unless alternative channels and donors fill the gap.
Details and context: The spokesperson said the United States has been the largest single country funder of humanitarian needs for Palestinians through a range of channels even after suspending UNRWA assistance. The State Department said UNRWA can continue operating with funding from other states and that the U.S. can and has delivered assistance through U.N. agencies and nongovernmental organizations.
Ending: The department urged Congress to lift the statutory ban if reforms to UNRWA meet U.S. conditions, and said it would work with other donors and partner organizations to maintain humanitarian flows to civilians in Gaza and the West Bank.
